Light sensitive validating identification badge system

ABSTRACT

A temporary badge fabrication system is provided. The system comprises a badge having at least one surface coated with an ambient light sensitive coating thereon which when exposed to ambient light conditions for a specified period of time changes to a specified color. An apparatus is further provided for printing information on the badge. The apparatus comprises a source of radiation and a printing mask facing the radiation source. The mask comprises an opaque portion and a radiation transmissive portion. The radiation transmissive portion contains an information portion. A badge holding means is disposed so that the mask is located between the radiation source and the badge holding means. A means is provided for activating the radiation source for a period of time sufficient to print the information on the badge in the specified color. Thus, when the badge is exposed to ambient light for the specified period of time the badge changes to the specified color and the information is not discernible.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a temporary identification badge systemand, more particularly, to a badge system and a badge-fabrication meansand method, that can employ a light-sensitive, coated badge blank with astencil like printer.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Identification badges have come into general use because of the need todiscriminate between authorized and unauthorized persons and betweenemployees and nonemployees, as well as other groups. Improved securityof a facility or a business is achieved when an effective identificationbadge system is employed. A recent survey of commercial cardidentification systems, whether photographic, visual, magnetic,electromagnetic, infrared, etc., illustrates the high security nature ofmany of these badge systems and their widespread application. However,the high security performance of each prior art badge system relies onthe fact that each coded badge is assigned to one individual, and thatthe individual is uniquely linked to the badge itself by somephysiological factor such as a photograph, finger print, hand geometry,signature, voice print, etc. When this physiological link is unavailablefor use, the identification badge can be employed improperly, such astransferring the card from person to person, or admitting a person intoexcluded areas.

Where a physiological link is employed, the issuance of such badge canbe quite time consuming and suffer from other drawbacks, as well. Also,the determination of whether such a badge is valid or expired oftenrequires close scruting, which is not always possible. Visitor badgesand other temporary badges are a weak link in most security badge orcard systems. This is because the individual is issued the badge foronly a few hours or days, and the badge does not contain thephysiological information of all other badges employed at the location.There is, in a temporary badge system normally no photograph of thevisitor, nor his handprint, nor even his signature. Thus, a visitorbadge may be used and re-used, improperly, by many different people andin most locations in a facility, including high security or confidentialareas. This is because the temporary badge will be used by almost everytype of person; salesman, serviceman, visiting scientist or engineer,advertising and marketing personel, accountants and auditing personel,etc.

As is widely known, temporary and visitor badges are frequently lostand/or forgotten to be returned. It is commonly experienced thatfrequent visitors may retain one of the visitor badges in order tobypass the time consuming check in procedures.

The present invention overcomes, or at least alleviates, these problemswith prior art badges, by utilizing elapsed time indicating techniques,which rely on light exposure, an excellent method of indicating ormeasuring such time, provided the light intensity levels of theilluminated environments where the badge will be worn, are relativelyconstant. This avoids transient and variable light effects on the badgewhich can change the time characteristics of the badge. Because of thelegal and operational requirements to provide adequate illumination infactory and other work facility, and good industrial engineering designfor office buildings and businesses, a relatively constant illuminationlevel generally does exist at facilities where temporary security badgeswill be employed. Thus, the elapsed time measuring means of the presentinvention employed in the relatively constant illumination of thisindoor environment is suitable for the physical stimulus required forthese security badges. Alternately, outdoor illumination is also withinreasonably close limits and an elapsed time indicating badge can bebased at this illumination level.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The temporary badge fabrication system of the present inventiongenerally comprises a printing device, light or radiation-sensitivecoated badge blanks, and preferably, means for attaching the finishedbadge to the wearer.

In the production of the badge, the light-sensitive badge blank isplaced in the printing device by the issuer and a stencil-like imprintcontaining validating information is imparted to the badge blank bymeans of timed exposure from a radiation source, preferably a highintensity or concentrated spectral source that is preferably locatedinside the printing device.

The badge can then be attached to a transparent carrier that haspressure sensitime adhesive to hold it onto the clothing of the visitoror the badge may simply be inserted into a conventional plasticidentification badge holder. During the time period of the visitor'sstay in the facility, the badge is exposed to the substantially uniformlevel of ambient light, which causes the badge to change in character,thus changing or obliterating the validating information. The discoloredor changed badge can then be discarded since it has been renderedinvalid at the end of the day (or other predetermined time interval)since it is obvious to others that it is an expired badge.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a transverse side elevation view of a first embodiment of thephotostencil printer apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the printing mask, or stencil, ofthe printer apparatus of FIG. 1, containing invarient badge informationcomponent and variable time-date information component.

FIG. 3A is an exploded perspective view of the light sensitive badgeproduced according to the present invention and its carrier.

FIG. 3B is a front elevation view of the badge of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4 is a sectional side elevation view of a composite single-piecelight sensitive badge produced according to another embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional side elevation view of a printer apparatusaccording to a second embodiment and containing a cathode ray tubeprinter system.

FIG. 6 is a graph depicting the change in the characteristics of aprocessed badge with the passage of time.

FIG. 7 is a graph depicting the change in contrast between printedportions and unprinted portions of an issued badge, with the passage oftime.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of the timecompensation circuit for the badge printed apparatus.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of an electricalcircuit employable in the present invention.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, the badge printer 10, according to an embodiment ofthe present invention, comprises a housing 12 that contains a removablebadge apparatus holder component 14, a removable stencil-like negativemask 16 (which can be transparent or translucent) containing theinvarient information component 40 (FIG. 2) and optionally a variableinformation component 20 (FIG. 2), and a radiation source 24. Thevariable component 20 may be the time, date, serial number or otherinformation. The housing 12 can be, and preferably is, made of radiationopaque material, e.g., plastic or metal, such that the strong radiation26, like ultraviolet or visible light, for example, from the source 24cannot escape to the outside. The radiation source 24 is preferablymounted with a reflector 28 to return the light, such that it passesthrough the transparent or translucent mask 16 onto the light sensitivebadge blank 30 that is retained in position in the holder 14. The mask16 can be of a stencil type, having a light opaque member with cut outareas embodying information or it can be of a photographic film type orother suitable means.

The terms "radiation" and "light" will be used interchangeably in thedescription of the light source, since the light-sensitive badge blankcan be designed to respond to radiations other than visible light. Thus,infrared or ultraviolet radiation, for example may be employed in thepresent invention.

The light source 24 is preferably controlled by a timer 32 which isinitiated by a switch 34 that conveniently can be located at the lowerend of the badge holder 14, such that it is actuated by the insertion ofthe badge blank 30. The timer 32 provides a fixed or variable timeexposure (FIG. 8) depending on whether the printer is a fixed exposureor time-compensated exposure to give fully void badges at the end of theday independent of the time badge was printed during the day. Variabletime exposure systems require the stencil mask 16 to be translucent orpartially optically dense but not fully opaque, to the stencil printinglight 26.

The badge blank 30 slides inside the holder component 14 and is heldproximate to or against the invariant information mask 16 and asdepicted in FIG. 1, a variable information display 36 by means of apressure pad 38. The bottom of the badge blank 30, upon its insertion,closes the switch 34 to initiate the exposure of the badge blank 30through the mask 16 and the variable information display 36. The control39 allows setting the variable display to the desired values asexplained hereinafter and for adjusting the exposure timer 32.

The variable information display can optionally be a stencilalphanumeric set that is put in place daily in order to display andprint the correct variable information on the badge. The information canbe cut-out stencils or it can be information or intelligence printed ontransparent or translucent supports that print validating variableinformation 22 (FIG. 2) onto the badge blank 30 in conjunction with thevalidating invarient design 40 (FIG. 2), which invarient information caninclude, for example, the company name, the term "visitor" 21, etc.

Optionally the variable portion of the mask may may comprise a numericalgas discharge display, a mechanically rotating number stencil disk, amechanically moving film negative containing a number or a variablenumerical display. The variable numerical display, optionally, may be acounter to indicate a serial number and/or is controlled from a keyboardto indicate the persons identification number.

FIG. 2 illustrates the stencil mask 16 containing the invarient printedinformation 40 and a time, a date, a serial issue number or combination20 of variable information. The light passes through the transparent ortranslucent portions 21 and 22 of the mask 16 to print the variant andinvariant information 21, 22 on the badge blank 30, but cannot passthrough the opaque portion 23 of the negative or mask 16, which providesa supporting structure.

The printing mask 16 (FIG. 2) may be a cut-out stencil, i.e., a thinsupport material with openings in the material to permit passage of theradiation to transmit to the badge blank 30 the information orintelligence of the mask or the mask 16 may be of a coated transparentor translucent material, like plastic or glass, to print in the samefashion as a photographic negative.

The variable display 36 (FIG. 1) is illuminated when the badge blank 30closes switch 34 so that the variant information, such as, for example,actual time and date information 22 are recorded on the badge blank bythe light. The illumination passing through the light permeable regionsof the negative mask 16 provides the light energy to cause the lightsensitive badge blank 30 to become darkened in those areas struck by theillumination.

Printed valid badges produced according to this invention can beattached to the wearer by any of several means. The embodiment shown inFIGS. 3A and 3B comprises a two piece construction whereby the exposedlight sensitive material face of the badge blank is applied to theadhesive 44 of a transparent or translucent badge holder 43. Thetransparent holder-adhesive combination (FIG. 3B) has the lightsensitive side 42, which contains the printed information, attached tothe holder 43 (which can be made of translucent or transparent plastic)on the one side thereof having an adhesive. The light sensitive face 42of the badge 41 can be seen through the holder 43 and is preferablysmaller than 43 so that an adhesive border is located around the badge41 to attach the assembly 100 to the wearer's clothing.

In producing the badge, the unexposed badge element 30 is exposed in theprinter apparatus 10, validating it and then is attached to the carryingholder support 43. The carrying support 43 preferably is of transparentplastic which contains or is coated with light absorbing or filteringmaterials, such as e.g. 2 Hydroxy-4-Methoxybenzophenone, 2 Hydroxy-4-NOctoxybensophenone, Quinacidone Red, Titro-o-Toluidine, conventional redor yellow pigment, or other suitable materials. The support 43 ispreferably coated on the back with pressure sensitive adhesive 44 suchthat the exposed badge component 41 can be attached to the carryingmember 43, which, in turn, can be larger than the information containingbadge component 41 and has exposed adhesive for attachment to theclothing of the wearer.

FIG. 4 illustrates a further preferred embodiment for a composite singlepiece badge 60. The badge 60 comprises a paper support member 64 with alight sensitive coating 66 on one side of the paper support member 64 orif desired, the light sensitive material may be incorporated into thepaper. A further coating or layer 68 may be applied over the lightsensitive material 66 to filter a portion of the incident ambient lightso as to adjust the rate of change to meet the requirements of the user.This coating 66 may be sufficiently insensitive to light so that no suchlight filtering element or component, is required such as 68. Such lightabsorbing or filtering material as specified in the above example aretypical of the light absorbers that may be employed, although others mayalso be used.

Furthermore, several different badges with different light absorbingand/or photosensitive coatings or concentrations thereof may be employedto provide a variety of time rate of information changes, to achievebadges usable for different time periods. In addition, a pressuresensitive adhesive 62 is applied to the backside of the paper 64 topermit the badge to be attached to the visitor's clothing directly.

FIG. 5 illustrates a further embodiment of a badge printer whereby allthe exposure validating information 21, 22 (FIG. 2) is generatedelectronically by the cathode ray tube (CRT) 83 at its fiber opticcoupling face 87, the fiber optic cathode ray tube 83 being located in ahousing 90 with its fiber optic face plate 87 facing outward. A printedstencil design may be used on the front face 91 of the cathode ray tube83 to impart information further to that generated by the cathode raytube.

The information generated by the cathode ray tube comes from anelectronic logic module 88 which contains fixed format validatinginformation for the invarient part of the badge and a time, date, serialnumber, etc., generator for the variable part. The badge 82 is placeinto a holder 80 which urges the badge 82 against the face 87 of thecathode ray tube 83 by means of a pressure plate 81. Printing isinitiated by means of switch 84, triggered by the insertion of the badgeblank into the holder 80, which then causes the illuminated informationto be displayed and imparted to the badge blank.

The amount (i.e., time and/or intensity) of exposure employed in thebadge printing operation preferably increases as the day progresses, inorder to make the badge equal in the level of contrast between theprinted portions and the unprinted or background portions of the printedbadge, to what it would be had the badge been exposed to the ambientlight level, e.g., the commercial lighting, throughout the day. Thus,the contrast for all badges prepared up to a time on a certain day, forexample, would be some point during the day, be approximately the same,so that, at the end of the day or other desired time interval,substantially all, if not all, of the badges prepared and issued duringthe designated time interval, would automatically be invalidated, due tothe decrease or elimination of contrast in the badge elements, which isbrought about by the ambient light.

To produce an exposure background on the unprinted badge background, thedark portion of the stencil not containing intelligence are notcompletely opaque to the printing radiation, but are partially opaque,translucent, or dense so that some percent, say 25% or 50%, for example,of the printing radiation is transmitted to the photosensitive badgeblank through those portions. As integrated printing exposure increases,the light passing through the light transmitting portion of the stencilthat contains the information saturates the photosensitive paper so thatthe background intensity begins to reduce the contrast differential and,thus, the badge approaches the void condition, such that the badge iscompletely void at the end of the predetermined time span.

FIG. 8 shows the electrical schematic for the time compensated badgeexposure system. As shown in FIG. 8, the printer operates as follows. Incircuit 49 power is supplied to the printer by mains 50. A clock motor58 is attached to a variable resistor 51 such that it goes from 0% to100% of full value in a predetermind time span. The clock is set so that0% resistance corresponds to the beginning of the business day, say 9a.m. Time delay relay 53 uses the external resistor value 51 to changeits RC circuit time base. Power switch 52 is turned to activate thesystem and the power on light 61. When a badge blank is inserted intothe printer mechanism, it actuates switch 54 which causes the printerlamp 59 to illuminate. The print-in-progress lamp 63 illuminates toinform the operator that printing is taking place when the timer 53times out, it energizes its relay contracts 57 so that the printinglight extinguishes. The operator removes the printed card to be issuedto the visitor.

As the day progresses, the resistor value 51 increases so that theprinting time of timer 53 increases from say 1 to 10 seconds. Thiscauses the printed badge background density to increase 10 times, i.e.,the degree of contrast between the printed and unprinted portion of thebadge, is lowered to a level which would correspond to the equivalentcontrast that the badge would experience in an environment to a badgeissued at an earlier time. Circuit 49 can be of a variety of forms, witha mercury florescent or incandescent printing lamp 59, analogue orelectronic timers replacing the RC circuit timer 53, and steppedregister switches, digital clock, or mechanical or electronic intervaltimer replacing the clock motor 58. All of the various substituteelectrical components perform the same and function for the variabletime printer, namely an increase integrated printing exposure to thebadge as a function of the elapsed work day or work shift period for thebusiness day when visitors are admissible to the facility.

In operation, the badge 40 or 60 is removed from a light tight storagebox (not shown) and placed light sensitive face first, towards the lightsource 12, into the badge holder 26. When the badge is fully seated inthe holder, the switch 34 is closed and the illuminating source 24 isturned on for a period of time determined by timer 32. The stencil likeinformation 18 on the mask is transferred to the badge along with thetime date information 22. The badge is then removed and prepared forattachment to the wearer. This is done by placing the badge 41 into theadhesive side of holder 43 or by simply peeling the release paper formthe adhesive 62 of badge 60 to expose its pressure sensitive adhesive62.

After the badge is placed on the wearer's clothing, usually chest heightand facing forward, it becomes exposed to the ambient light of thefacility environment. Since most factories and office buildings haveambient florescent lighting in the range of 50 to 150 footcandles, thebadge will change color or contrast due to light photon interaction withthe light sensitive coating, in a period of several hours, provided thelight sensitive material and the light absorbers have been selected tomeet these conditions. As a result of the decrease or elimination of thecontrast between the validating, or information (and even the invarientinformation) and the background of the badge, the validating (andinvarient) information will not be a discernible and it will berecognized, by looking at the badge, that is no longer is valid.

The advantages of the invention are considerable and numerous. Theprinting negative mask can be photographically or photochemically etchedso that high security detailed information can be reproduced by thebadge printer. The mask can also be changed easily and frequently inorder to maintain the integrity of the high security badge system. Thevariable information will provide an absolute date and time vector sothat attempts to reuse the badge on another day will be easily thwarted.Additional alphanumeric information could be provided such as the day ofthe week and even the individual name. Furthermore, additionalfacilities in the badge printer itself may permit one's photographicimage to be relayed and reporduced on the light sensitive badge itself.This image would provide an absolute physiological feature of theindividual to whom the badge was issued. Such an image may be reproducedon the cathodery tube or could be directly imaged onto the badge blankby means of lenses and light amplifers, but this image, too, would beobliterated by the ambient light with the passage of time, therebyinvalidating the badge.

The described badge system is a disposable elapsed time indicator sothat it is visibly apparant that the badge is void after the expirationof the desired time. The elapsed time indication is a function ofambient illumination which is relatively constant for a given facility.The printer can be employed with badges of different light sensitivityso that, for example, a badge issued half-way through the day may havetwice the light sensitivity as a badge issued at the beginning of theday. The printer may thus have a time-compensated exposure device sothat it prepares a properly exposed badge independent of the badgesensitivity or with a compensating light filter. Likewise, the printermay change its light exposure as the day progresses so that the badge isexposed more later in the day than in the morning. This will provide abadge with equal change by the end of the day to show its void conditionno matter what time it is issued and printed.

Referring to FIG. 6, there is graphically described the extent ofexposure of the background field of a badge with the passage of time,under actual use conditions of an issued badge that is subjected toambient light. It can be seen, in the case of an issued badge printed atthe beginning, T₀, of a predetermined time period, that at time, T₄,which is the end of the time period, the b ground is fully exposed bythe ambient light, so that the validating information is virtuallyindistinguishable from the b ground thereby rendering the badge invalidand useless. The darkening of the b ground at the various intermediatetimes T₂, T₃, and T₄ can be seen from FIG. 6. FIG. 6 can also representthe degree of exposure of the bankground of a badge that is beingproduced by imprinting thereon the validating information as previouslydescribed. Where the badge blank is being printed during the day theexposure of the badge background, or field, for a certain amount of timesufficient to darken the bankground to the point that it would be, hadthe badge been issued at the beginning of the day, causes the b groundand the validating information to be, at the end of the day (or otherpredetermined period), T₄, virtually indistinguishable from each other,thereby invalidating the badge. Thus, if, for example, the badge isbeing issued at time, T₃, for the rest of the time period, to T₄, thenthe b ground of the badge (which can be exposed by exposing the entireprinted badge) is exposed to light sufficient to darken the badge to thelevel, E, where the badge would be had it been issued at the beginning,T₀, and exposed to ambient light for the time T₀ -T₃. In this way thebadge cannot be used beyond T₄, thereby enhancing the security.

Referring to FIG. 7, which graphically depicts the change incharacteristics (i.e., the contrast between the printed information of aprocessed badge and its bankground) with the passage of time where, attime 0, there is a relatively large degree of contrast, considered to be100% (an index of contrast) between the printed badge information andthe badge bankground. As the time for the predetermined period for whichthe badge is issued, passes, the badge is exposed more and more to theambient light, so that, at time D, which is the end of the predeterminedtime period the badge is fully exposed and the printed information isindistinguishable from the background rendering the badge void. It canbe seen that the obliteration of the printed information, whichvalidates the badge, is gradual with the passage of time.

The radiation employed for printing the badge can be altraviolet light,e.g., in about the range of 1800 to 4000 angstroms. The radiation rangecan be about 2200 to 4000, or about 3000 to 4000, or about 3200 to 4000angstroms. One source of radiation is a continuously operating lowpressure mercury vapor tube or a flash sensor discharge tube.

The invarient mask portion can be fused silica quartz, the informationbearing parts of the mask being radiation transmissive.

The advantages and variations of the light dependent self invalidatingsecurity badge system are numerous. The badge printer can embody a morecomplex badge blank printing mechanism than the manual insertion andremoval type which automatically enters and ejects the completed printedbadge. Single blank badges can then be properly positioned behind thecontract printing stencil and the jrinting time automatically controlledwithout operator intervension. Loading and unloading the badges behindthe contact stencil while the printing lamp is on would cause ghostimages to appear on the badge itself, so either a mechanical shutterdevice or an electrical system to turn off the printing lamps must beencorporated into the badge printer.

In order to facilitate rapid printing lamp turn on and turn off, theultraviolet light source, one is required to employ low pressuredischarge lamps like florescent lamps instead of the conventional highintensity high pressure mercury or halide discharge tubes which requireseveral minutes to warm up. Florescent lamps can be operated with atrigger start systems, which separate preheat filament transformers toprovide intant starting florescent lamps so that no shutter is required,or with cold cathode ballast type starting circuits so the fraction ofthe printing time (approximately 3-10 seconds) which is required for thelamp turn on time (approximately 1/2 to 3 seconds is small).

Furthermore, the printer may incorporate a design where the badges arenot precut single badge blanks, but are continuous from a supply rollwhich are fed into the printing mechanism, printed, then cut by amechnical blade into individual badges and ejected from the printer.This roll feed concept provides means for faster and more efficientprinter. This roll feed concept provides means for faster and moreefficient printing of large quantities of badges. Also, ther is no handoperation by the operator in loading the badge blanks into the printingmechanism which may result in creased or bent badges, or finger printson the photosensitive surface of the blank, or exposure to the ambientlight before printing.

I claim:
 1. A temporary security badge fabrication system comprising:abadge having at least one surface coated with an ambient light sensitivecoating which when exposed to ambient light conditions for a specifiedpredetermined period of time changes to a specified color; an apparatusfor printing information on the badge comprising:a source of radiation;a printing mask facing the radiation source comprising an opaque portionand a radiation transmissive portion, the radition transmissive portioncontaining an information portion; and a badge holding means disposed tolocate the mask between the radiation source and the badge holdingmeans; and a means for activating the radiation source for a period oftime sufficient to print the information on the badge in the specifiedcolor; and attachment means mounted to the badge for attaching the badgeto a wearer and permitting exposure of the badge to ambient light;whereby when the badge is attached to the wearer and exposed to ambientlight for the specified predetermined period of time the badge changesto the specified color and the information is not discernible.
 2. Thesystem of claim 1 wherein the source of radiation is ultraviolet light.3. The system of claim 1, wehrein the source of radiation is ultravoiletlight in the range of 2200 angstroms and about 4000 angstroms.
 4. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the source of radiation is ultraviolet lightbetween 3000 angstroms and 4000 angstroms.
 5. The system of claim 1,wherein the source of radiation is ultraviolet light between 3200angstroms and 4000 angstroms.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein thesource of radiation is a continuous operating low pressure mercury vaportube.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the source of radiation is aflash discharge tube.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the mask isfused silica quartz.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the mask is anultraviolet radiation transmitting material.
 10. The system of claim 1,wehrein the mask is a stencil.
 11. The system of claim 1, wherein themask comprises a photographic film.
 12. The system of claim 1, whereinthe mask comprises a mechanical stencil.
 13. The system of claim 1,wherein the mask comprises a printed transparency.
 14. A temporarysecurity badge fabrication system comprising:a badge having at least onesurface coated with an ambient light sensitive coating which whenexposed to ambient light conditions for a specified predetermined periodof time will change to a specified color; a means for printinginformation on the badge in the specified color; attachment meansmounted to the badge for attaching the badge to a wearer and permittingexposure of the badge to ambient light; whereby when the badge isattached to the wearer and exposed to ambient light for the specifiedperiod of time the badge changes to the specified color and theinformation is not discernible.
 15. A temporary security badgefabrication system comprising:a badge having at least one surface coatedwith an ambient light sensitive coating which when exposed to ambientlight conditions for a specified predetermined period of time willchange to a specified color; an apparatus for printing information onthe badge comprising:cathode ray tube with a fiber optic faceplate as aradiation printing source; an electronic logic information controlmodule for generating printed information on the faceplate; a badgeholding means for contacting the badge against the faceplate; and ameans for activating the cathode ray tube for a period of timesufficient to print the information on the badge in the specified color;and attachment means mounted to the badge for attaching the badge to awearer and permitting exposure of the badge to ambient light; wherebywhen the badge is attached to the wearer and exposed to ambient lightfor the specified predetermined period of time, the badge changes to thespecified color and the information will not be discernible.
 16. Thesystem of claim 1, 14 or 15, wherein the information is controlled by aclock indicating time and date.
 17. The system of claim 1 or 15, whereinthe time for activating the radiation source is controlled by a realtime clock.
 18. The system of claim 1 or 15, wherein the time foractivating the radiation source is controlled by an interval timer. 19.The system of claim 1, 14 or 15, wherein the information includes time,date, serial number of badge or identification of person.
 20. The systemof claim 15, wherein the information includes an image of a person asseen by a television camera.
 21. The system of claim 15, wherein theinformation includes the image of a person as stored in a digital memorydevice.
 22. A process for producing a temporary security badgecomprising:(a) providing a badge having at least one surface coated withan ambient light sensitive coating which when exposed to ambient lightconditions for a specified predetermined period of time changes to aspecified color; (b) providing a stencil like information bearing membercontaining radiation transmissive first regions and radiation opaquesecond regions; (c) exposing the badge to radiation which is transmittedthrough the first regions for a period of time sufficient to print theinformation on the badge in the specified color, thereby impartinginformation to the badge blank; and (d) mounting the exposed badge on anattachment means for attaching the badge to a wearer and permitting theexposure of the badge to ambient light;whereby when the badge isattached to the wearer and exposed to ambient light for the specifiedpredetermined period of time, the badge changes to the specified colorand the information will not be discernible.
 23. A process for producinga temporary security badge comprising:(a) providing a badge having atleast one surface coated with an ambient light sensitive coating whichwhen exposed to ambient light conditions for a specified predeterminedperiod of time changes to a specified color; (b) printing information onthe badge in the specified color; (c) mounting the exposed badge on anattachment means for attaching the badge to a wearer and permitting theexposure of the badge to ambient light;whereby when the badge isattached to the wearer and exposed to ambient light for the specifiedpredetermined period of time, the badge changes to the specified colorand the information will not be discernible.
 24. The process of claim22, wherein the attachment means includes a paper support.
 25. Theprocess of claim 22, wherein the attachment means includes a plasticsupport.
 26. The process of claim 22, wherein the radiation comprisesultraviolet light.
 27. The process of claim 22, wherein the holdermember comprises adhesive on a surface.
 28. The process of claim 22,wherein the attachment means includes a transparent face, theinformation being viewed therethrough.